Members of civil society coalitions, youth, and anti-corruption groups hold a protest at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City on September 21, 2025, to condemn systemic corruption in the country. The groups demand accountability from the government for the alleged widespread corruption and call for mass-oriented solutions to the crises plaguing the nation. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Thousands of Filipinos gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday to participate in the “Trillion Peso March”, a mass protest calling for accountability and transparency in government amid issues of large-scale corruption involving some government officials.
As early as 8 a.m., the crowd began to swell along White Plains and the surrounding areas of EDSA, with honking horns and protest chants echoing from both sides of the monument.
Civil society organizations, youth groups, church leaders, and ordinary citizens converged with a unified message: Stop corruption, hold plunderers accountable.
The protest, named after the alleged trillions of pesos lost to corruption, was organized by various groups across sectors. One of the organizers, Jean Enriquez, explained the purpose of the event:
“Ang layunin nito ay mabigyan ng plataporma ang ating mga kababayan na galit na galit sa korapsyon,” said Enriquez.
(The objective is to give our people who are very angry at corruption a platform)
She said that among the calls of the protest is for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to be "truly independent" and for developments within six months: The prosecution or even conviction of allegedly corrupt officials and contractors to start within six months.
"Nais namin linawin: hindi kami para kay Duterte, hindi kami para sa politiko layunin namin masingil lahat,” she said.
(We want to make clear that we are not for Duterte. We are not for any politician. Our goal is for all to be held accountable)
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By 9 a.m., groups such as Akbayan, Siklab, and Tindig Pilipinas began marching toward the monument from different parts of Metro Manila. The formal program kicked off with speeches from reform advocates and political figures.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno slammed the massive scale of corruption allegedly happening through “ghost projects” and commissions on infrastructure that he said has reached a trillion pesos.
“Kaya tama si Sarah G — ang sabi niya, pinaiikot-ikot lang tayo. Papayag ba tayo d’yan? Hindi!“Papayag ba tayo sa rigodon na papalitan lang nila ang speaker? Sapat na ba ’yun? Hindi. Dahil ang sigaw ng bayan: pananagutan.” Diokno narrated.
(Will we allow the kind of reshuffle where only the speaker is replaced? is that enough? No, because the people are calling for accountability)
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned as House speaker this week and has been replaced by Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III, who has promised changes at the House and who has asked the public for a chance to for the House to regain its trust.
Fellow lawmaker Rep. Percy Cendana warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr that he is not safe. Cendana said that public anger is rising and that people are watching:
"Kapag ang mga pangako mo hindi natupad, kapag walang nakulong at nanagot, ang galit na ito sa inyo naman itatapat," he said as he referred to the public's disappointment over past corruption investigations that led nowhere.
(If you do not deliver on your promise, if nobody is jailed or held to account, the people's anger will turn to you)
Actor Elijah Canlas also addressed the crowd before a special mass led by Bishop Elias Ayuban, alongside 2025 Ramon Magsaysay awardee Father Flavie Villanueva.
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Religious leaders, students, and laypeople mixed prayer and protest, many carrying rosaries and statues of the Virgin Mary alongside placards demanding justice.
There were also performances from local bands and sectoral representatives, adding energy and emotion to the day’s protest.
Among those who took the stage was Ana Borbe, a flood victim from Rizal who has lived in a flood-prone area for 25 years. She voiced the frustration of many poor communities:
“Sana mabisita ang lugar namin. Ilang beses na bumagsak ang ilog sa Kasiglahan Village. Lagi kaming pinapangakuan… lalo lang kaming nasasaktan. Lalo kaming nagagalit nang malaman namin na bilyon-bilyong piso pala ang nakalaan pero napupunta lang sa iilan.”
It wasn’t just organized groups who came. Individuals like Jessie Santos, a member of a Sunday Biker group, biked all the way to EDSA to join the protest.
“Ang gusto lang namin iparating sa gobyerno — stop flooding us with corruption,” Santos said. “Magkaisa lahat ng mga Pilipino para labanan ito.”
Even senior citizens joined. Joey Mendiola, 77, stood beneath the midday sun holding signs:
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“Matagal na tayong naghihintay. Kailangan matapos na ang kakurapan,” he said.
Following the morning rally, several groups proceeded to the EDSA Shrine for a 1 p.m. march back to the People Power Monument.
Notable figures such as Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, and Senator Bam Aquino joined the afternoon program.
A separate gathering, organized by the United People’s Initiative, was also held nearby. Attendees included retired generals, former military officers, and other civic leaders. While distinct, both events echoed the same urgent demand: End corruption now.
Despite political differences, the rally became a rare display of unity among diverse sectors of society — all voicing a single, growing sentiment: Enough is enough.